The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), has inaugurated the first nationwide synchronized weekly forum, “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The event, held on Tuesday, May 28, aims to serve as a platform for communicating government programs, services, projects, policies, and priority initiatives of various national government agencies and departments.
For the forum's maiden episode, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presented the highlights of their achievements and the priority projects they are currently working on. The DPWH is a crucial agency in the Philippines, responsible for a broad range of infrastructure and public works projects.
For the Mimaropa Region, DPWH Regional Director Engr. Gerald Pacanan reported significant accomplishments, including the completion of 153 rainwater collectors and the generation of approximately 2,180 jobs across the region. He emphasized the department's ongoing commitment to constructing quality infrastructure in the Mimaropa Region.
Pacanan explained that the scope of projects undertaken by regional and district offices varies based on the allocated budget. Projects with budgets ranging from ₱150 million to ₱300 million are delegated to the regional level by the Department Secretary, considering the project's complexity and the regional office's expertise.
For the year 2024, DPWH announced a substantial allocation of ₱59 billion for 990 projects in the Mimaropa Region. The breakdown of the budget includes ₱36.9 billion allocated to the regional office to facilitate 212 projects under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum aims to enhance transparency and foster public awareness of government initiatives, showcasing the efforts and achievements of various departments in addressing the needs of the Filipino people.
